Former Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Doug Brenner is suing the NCAA for $100 million in punitive damages stemming from injuries he sustained as part of the team in 2017, ESPN reported.
The lawsuit, which is set to go to trial on Tuesday, also lists the University of Oregon and former head football coach Willie Taggart as defendants, according to the report.
In the lawsuit, Brenner alleges he sustained life-long injuries during a series of workouts run by then strength and conditioning coach Irele Oderinde. According to Brenner, Oderinde did not carry the proper certification to be the school’s strength and conditioning coach. He also claims that Oderinde and Taggart, who left Oregon after one season, imposed physical punishment on players.
Both Taggart and Oderinde are expected to be present when the trial gets underway on Tuesday.
“I care about every one of the players I’ve coached like they are my own sons, and I want each of them to be successful on and off the field,” Taggart said in a statement to ESPN. “I would never want any of them to suffer any injury. I disagree with the things Doug Brenner has said in his complaint and am sorry we’re involved in this lawsuit. But I still wish him the best.”
“The health and safety of our students is our highest priority. There was a quick response to Doug Brenner’s injury, and he was provided the best care possible,” a spokesperson for the school said in a statement. “We are grateful that he made a full recovery and was able to play during the 2017 season and also graduate from the University of Oregon. We disagree with the claims made by Mr. Brenner’s attorneys in their lawsuit and will address those in court.”
The NCAA did not respond to ESPN’s request for comment.
A suit was originally filed on behalf of Brenner in 2019 and sought $11.5 million from the NCAA, ESPN said. Brenner later increased the claim for pain from $6 million to $20 million and added a claim for punitive damages.
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